Budget development guidelines passed at Bonita district meeting

SAN DIMAS - The Bonita Unified School District passed initial budget development guidelines and assumptions for the 2013-2014 fiscal year on Wednesday night.

The 2013-2014 budget calendar adopted by the board on Dec. 12 specified approval of the Budget Development Guidelines and Assumptions at the regular meeting, according to the board packet.

"The budget guidelines are our overriding principles," said Ann Sparks, assistant superintendent for business services. "They have not changed significantly from last year."

Included in the assumptions is a 0 percent cost of living adjustment for most state categorical programs. Also, funding for kindergarten to third grade class-size reduction would be $1,071 unless the funding formula is implemented. If implemented, according to the assumption, the funding would be an add-on to the base grant in the amount of $710 per K-3 Americans with Disabilities Act.

Starks added that it was unknown how a proposed local control funding formula would affect the district if implemented.

"I think it probably gives boards a greater impact on how they want to structure what goes on in their district. In a way this is what we've been asking for not so many mandated programs," Starks said.

According to the first interim budget report, total expenditures for 2012-13 were projected to be $55.3 million while the 2013-14 year is supposed to be about $54.7 million. The 2014-15 year is projected at more than $55.7 million.